Method and system for displaying user-related information on users&#39; handsets

ABSTRACT

A method of displaying user-related information to a user on a display of a user&#39;s mobile telephony handset, including modifying a content of a file resident in a subscriber identification module operatively associated with the user&#39;s mobile telephony handset and used to store a name of a mobile telephony operator, said modifying comprising writing in said file the user-related information to be displayed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2007/061148 filed Oct. 18, 2007,which was published under PCT Article 21(2), the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to mobile communications,particularly to mobile telephony, and to mobile telephony networks likesecond-generation (2G) networks, such as GSM (General System for Mobilecommunications) networks, GPRS (General Packet Radio System) networks,EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution) networks, andthird-generation (3G) networks, such as UMTS (Universal MobileTelecommunications System) networks. More specifically, the presentinvention concerns a method and system for displaying information onusers' handsets.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Recently, methods to implement a differentiation of call billing tariffsbased on the location of a user's mobile phone (the handset or, as alsoreferred to hereinafter, the “Mobile Equipment”, shortly ME) have beendeployed in mobile telephony networks.

For example, some mobile telephony operators have started offeringso-called “home zone”, “office zone” or “city zone” tariff schemes,providing for connectivity tariffs that are more advantageous for theuser when she/he is in some determined locations (for instance at home,at the office or in some defined urban area).

Many of these methods are based on the active role played by the networkequipments, that, through different techniques (like for example theidentification of the network cell—based on the cell identifier“CELL-ID” that univocally identifies a generic network cell—the ME isattached to, or by more sophisticated methods based on radio signalmeasurements performed by the handset), recognize that the user is in acertain zone in respect of which she/he has subscribed or is anywayentitled to have facilitated (discounted) call billing tariffs.

Other known methods are based on the fact that the UICC (UMTS IntegratedCircuit Card, which is the integrated-circuit chip card used in 3Gmobile phones, and corresponds to—extending the functionalities of—theSubscribed Identity Module—SIM—card used in 2G mobile phones) alerts thenetwork equipments that the user has entered in thedifferentiated-tariff zone. Basically, the network operator downloads tothe UICC (which stores them) the identifier CELL-ID of the base radiostation providing coverage to the zone with differentiated tariff; insame other cases the network operator downloads to the UICC values ofradio signal measurements the ME usually performs to determine thebetter base radio station to attach to; the use of these measurementscan improve the precision of the localization of the ME in the mobiletelephony operator network based on different signal strengths from morethan one base radio station. Periodically, the UICC asks the ME toprovide the identifier CELL-ID of the network cell it is currentlyconnected to (or the current radio signal measurements): if the currentCELL-ID (or radio signal measurements) matches with that (those)previously stored, the UICC alerts the network equipments of thenecessity to apply a different tariff scheme. In other cases, some kindof learning mode is activated in order to make the UICC learn by itselfthe network cell identifiers (or radio signal measurements)characteristic of the zone(s) corresponding to differentiated tariffs.

Irrespective of the solution adopted for identifying when the userenters a zone corresponding to a differentiated tariff, a common issueis how to make the user aware of the fact that she/he has entered thatzone. This is regarded as a key aspect from the user experienceperspective: the user should have the perception of her/his presence inthe defined zone, and be alerted when she/he enters it.

Some known solutions alerts the user through a voice message aftershe/he dials a telephone number and places a call, or through a modifiedversion of the audible tone.

In CA 2275329, a system for displaying greetings to mobile terminalsidentifying services associated with location based services isdisclosed. The system identifies a plurality of service zones in thesystem, and also transmits predefined services to mobile terminals whenlocated in the service zones. The system transmits from each basestation local zone profile information to each of the mobile terminalslocated in those service zones. Each mobile terminal has stored thereinsubscriber zone profile information for which that mobile terminal canreceive location based services. The mobile terminal also stores anassociated greeting for each zone of subscriber zone profileinformation. The mobile terminal compares transmitted local zoneinformation with the list of stored subscriber zone profile information,and when a match is found, the mobile terminal displays the greetingassociated with the subscriber zone profile information. By storing theassociated greeting in the mobile terminal, the otherwise signaling ofgreeting information over the air interface is avoided.

WO 00/18156 describes a possibility to differentiate services, both intime and space, a mobile telephone subscriber has access to in acellular mobile telephone network. The subscriber is given specificfunctionality in a geographical limited area. The subscriber can forinstance have full access to the mobile telephone network when he/sheuses the mobile telephone within a certain area, whereas outside thisarea he/she is only given a certain functionality, no functionality, orfull functionality but at another price rate. There is also thepossibility to identify several areas with differentiated functionality.In the same way the subscriber can be given specific functionality atcertain times during the 24-hour period, or during certain days.According to the solution proposed in that document, by means of SIMApplication Toolkit the whole functional differentiation can be managedfrom the SIM-card. The subscriber's functional differentiation can bechanged because the list over allowed/wanted areas exists in theSIM-card and can be updated via data message.

In FR 2810837 a tariff setting mobile telephone position finding systemis described having SIM card with application applying learning modemeasuring RF environment and later verification comparing new/oldmeasurements. The verification of the mobile telephone positiondetermination system has a mobile telephone with SIM card. The card hasan application finding position. The application sets a learning moderegistering the parameter characteristics of the environment. In a laterverification mode, the RF parameters are measured again and comparedwith the registered values. This allows determination of whether theposition is the same as in the learning mode. The mobile telephoneposition determination system has a SIM card with a special application.The application sets a learning mode, measuring the RF environment. At alater stage, the measurements are repeated in a verification stage andthe two sets of measurements compared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has observed that the known solutions for making a useraware of the fact that she/he has entered or is currently located in azone corresponding to a differentiated tariff scheme are not totallysatisfactory.

In particular, a problem of those solutions that alert the user througha voice message after she/he dials a number and places a call, orthrough a modified version of the audible tone, resides in that the useris made aware of the fact that she/he has entered and is currentlylocated in a differentiated-tariff zone only after she/he places a call.This is regarded as undesirable, because the user is not made awareessentially in real time of her/his entrance in a differentiated-zonetariff. Also, the user may erroneously believe to be currently locatedin a discounted-tariff zone, while instead the discounted tariff doesnot apply in the location she/he currently is, for example because theME is, for some reason of radio coverage, attached to a cell notincluded in those for which the discounted tariff applies.

Solutions relying on applications residing on the SIM or USIM to show,through STK (SIM application ToolKit) commands like the “DISPLAY TEXT”command, a pop-up on the ME display are also believed not satisfactory;in this case, the alert is displayed only once and the user may looseit. In addition, the user experience is often inconsistent whendifferent handsets are used, because any handset may display differentindications; also, many of the already circulating MEs may not supportthe STK feature.

The Applicant also believes important that the implementation of thiskind of services does not involve any active action performed by theuser (exception made possibly for the subscription of the service), andparticularly no download of software/firmware to be installed on theuser ME.

On the other hand, the great variety of handsets circulating on themarket and owned by the users makes a solution to this problemchallenging.

The Applicant has found a method that enables showing on a user'shandset display a variety of user-related information (particularly,but—as will be explained—non limitatively, information adapted to alertthe user that she/he has entered a differentiated-tariff zone), withoutthe need of installing any software/firmware on the mobile phone, andadapted to be implemented also on relatively old mobile phone models.

In particular, the Applicant has found that user-related information,related to an individual user of a mobile telephony handset, can becaused to be displayed on the user's handset display by modifying acontent of a file resident in a subscriber identification moduleoperatively associated with the user's mobile telephony handset, saidfile being intended, and normally used, to store a name of a mobiletelephony operator to be displayed to any user whose handset is attachedto the network of that operator.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided ofdisplaying user-related information to a user on a display of a user'smobile telephony handset, comprising:

-   -   modifying a content of a file resident in a subscriber        identification module operatively associated with the user's        mobile telephony handset and used to store a name of a mobile        telephony operator, said modifying comprising writing in said        file the user-related information to be displayed.

Said user-related information may in particular include informationwhich, when displayed on the display of the user's mobile telephonyhandset, is adapted to alert the user of a mobile telephony servicebilling tariff currently applied to the user, by a mobile telephonynetwork to which the user's mobile telephony handset is attached to, tomobile telephony services exploitable by that user.

Said mobile telephony service billing tariff may be one among at leasttwo mobile telephony service billing tariffs of a differentiated billingtariff scheme applied by a mobile telephony operator to the user.

Said at least two mobile telephony service billing tariffs maycorrespond to respective predetermined locations of the user's mobiletelephony handset, and wherein said writing in said file is performed inresponse to detecting that the mobile telephony handset of the user iscurrently located in one of said predetermined locations.

Said detecting may comprise comparing an identifier of a mobiletelephony network cell the mobile telephony handset is currentlyattached to with at least one predetermined network cell identifier, orcomparing radio signal measurements performed by the mobile telephonyhandset on a radio signal irradiated by the mobile telephony networkcell the mobile telephony handset is currently attached to withreference radio signal measurement values.

Said comparing may be performed by the mobile telephony handset.

Said at least two mobile telephony service billing tariffs may alsocorrespond to different time periods.

Said writing in said file may be performed in response to detecting thatthe mobile telephony handset of the user is currently connected to awireless sensor network, and said information may be adapted to alertthe user of the connection to the wireless sensor network.

Said user-related information to be written in said file may be storedlocally at the mobile telephony handset, in the subscriberidentification module.

Said user-related information may be adapted to alert the user of themobile telephony handset of a receipt of one or more messages in a usermessage box held by the mobile telephony network and associated with theuser.

Said user-related information to be displayed may be received by themobile telephony handset from the mobile telephony network over the air.

Said subscriber identification module may be compliant to the 3GPPTechnical Specifications 22.101 and 31.102, said file being the EF-SPN.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a subscriberidentification module for use in a mobile telephony handset, comprising:

-   -   a resident file used to store a name of a mobile telephony        operator to be displayed on the mobile telephony handset when        attached to a network of said mobile telephony operator,and    -   an application resident in the subscriber identification module        and operable to modify a content of the file by writing therein        user-related information to be displayed on the mobile telephony        handset.

Said user-related information may include information which, whendisplayed on the display of the user's mobile telephony handset, isadapted to alert the user of a mobile telephony service billing tariffcurrently applied to the user, by a mobile telephony network to whichthe user's mobile telephony handset is attached to, to mobile telephonyservices exploitable by that user.

Said application may be adapted to perform said writing in response todetecting that the mobile telephony handset is currently located in oneof at least two predetermined locations of the user's mobile telephonyhandset in respect of which different mobile telephony service billingtariffs applies to mobile telephony services exploitable by a user ofthe mobile telephony handset.

The subscriber identification module may be operable to perform saiddetecting by comparing an identifier of a mobile telephony network cellthe mobile telephony handset is currently attached to with at least onepredetermined network cell identifier, or by comparing radio signalmeasurements performed by the mobile telephony handset on a radio signalirradiated by the mobile telephony network cell the mobile telephonyhandset is currently attached to with reference radio signal measurementvalues.

Said at least two mobile telephony service billing tariffs maycorrespond to different time periods.

Said application may be adapted to perform said writing in said file inresponse to detecting that the mobile telephony handset of the user iscurrently connected to a wireless sensor network, and said user-relatedinformation is adapted to alert the user of the connection to thewireless sensor network.

The subscriber identification module may be operable to locally storesaid user-related information to be displayed.

The subscriber identification module may be operable to receive saiduser-related information to be displayed from the mobile telephonynetwork over the air.

Said subscriber identification module may be compliant to the 3GPPTechnical Specifications 22.101 and 31.102, said file being the EF-SPN.

Said application may be a SIM application toolkit application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bemade apparent by reading the following detailed description of someembodiments thereof, provided purely by way of non-limitative examples,description that will be conducted making reference to the attacheddrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 pictorially shows a scenario wherein an embodiment of the presentinvention can be usefully applied;

FIG. 2 schematically shows, in terms of functional blocks, a user'shandset;

FIG. 3 schematically shows, in terms of functional blocks, includingsoftware/firmware modules, used in an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating some steps of a methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a scenario wherein anembodiment of the present invention can be usefully applied ispictorially shown.

In particular, reference numeral 100 denotes a (small portion of a)geographic area where a mobile telephony network, particularly acellular network, is deployed; the cellular network may be a 2G cellularnetwork, e.g. a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, or a 3Gcellular network, like a UMTS network, or a heterogeneous network,supporting both 2G and 3G standards. The specific type of cellularnetwork is per-se not limitative to the present invention.

Schematically depicted in FIG. 1 is a plurality of transceiver stations(or radio base stations) 105-1 to 105-12, deployed across the consideredgeographic area 100; the transceiver stations may be Base TransceiverStations (BTSs) of a GSM network, or Node-Bs of a UMTS network.

Each transceiver station 105-1 to 105-12 is shown in conjunction with anassociated cell, being the portion of the geographic area 100 which isserved by the considered transceiver station, i.e. the portion of thegeographic area 100 where the signal received by that transceiverstation is essentially the strongest among the signals possibly receivedby other transceiver stations; the generic transceiver station 105-1 to105-12 is said to be the “best server” in the respective cell. In thedrawing, merely for the sake of illustration simplicity, the cells aredepicted as having all hexagonal shape and being of the same size,however in practical cases the cells will in general be different inshape and/or size, depending on several factors like the power of therespective transceiver stations, and the morphology of the area 100,which affects the propagation of the electromagnetic field. For avoidingunnecessary complication of the drawing, throughout the presentdescription the cells will be denoted by the same reference numeral ofthe corresponding best server transceiver station.

Also schematically depicted in FIG. 1 is a hypothetical mobility path110 supposed to be followed by a user equipped with a mobilecommunications terminal, like a mobile phone, hereinafter also referredto as handset or Mobile Equipment (ME), identified by reference numeral115. In the example shown, it is assumed that the mobility path 110passes through cells 105-2, 105-7, 105-6 and 105-1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that theoperator of the mobile telephony network covering the geographic area100 offers to individual subscriber users phone call or otherconnectivity services billing tariffs that are differentiated on thebasis of the location of the user while placing the calls, possiblyuser-personalized tariffs. In particular, in the exemplary embodimentherein discussed, a first and a second different tariffs denoted “TARIFFA” and “TARIFF B” are considered, wherein the second tariff “TARIFF B”may be a discounted tariff which the mobile telephony network operatorapplies to calls made by the user owning the ME 115 when she/he islocated for instance at home (home zone tariff), or at the office(office zone tariff). Considering the cells through which thehypothetical mobility path 110 followed by the owner of the ME 115passes, the cells 105-2, 105-7, 105-6 are assumed to correspond to zoneswherein the first tariff “TARIFF A” applies, whereas the cell 105-1 isassumed to correspond to a zone wherein the second tariff “TARIFF B”applies (for example, the cell 105-1 may cover an area where the home ofthe user is located). Other examples of differentiated call billingschemes are possible, like for example city zone tariffs which apply tocalls placed by the users when they are located in a certain urban area;it is intended that the specific type of differentiated call orconnectivity service billing scheme, as well as the number of differenttariffs, are not limitative to the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the structure of the ME 115 is schematicallyshown, in terms of functional blocks. A CPU (Central Processing Unit)205 (typically, a microprocessor or a microcontroller) governs the MEoperation; for its operation, the CPU 205 exploits memory resources 210,typically comprising RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read OnlyMemory); the RAM is used as a working memory, for loading programs underexecution, and for temporarily storing data; the ROM (which may be orinclude an electrically-alterable memory, like an EEPROM—ElectricallyErasable and Programmable ROM—or a Flash memory) is used to non-volatilystore data including a basic software/firmware to be executed by the CPU205, including an operative system, one or more programs to be executedby the ME 115, other data to be preserved like an address book. All orpart of the memory resources 210 may be internal to the CPU 205 (this istypically the case when the CPU is a microcontroller). The CPU 205interacts with a display device 215, used for displaying information tothe user, a keyboard 220, through which the user may dial phone numbersand enter other data and commands, a microphone and a loudspeaker 225. Atransmitter and receiver unit 230 with an antenna 235 allows the ME 115wirelessly communicating with the (transceiver stations of the) mobiletelephony network via radio signals. A battery pack 237 provides thepower supply for the operation of the ME 115.

For its operation, the ME 115 has to be coupled to a module 240 for thesecure identification of the subscriber to the services provided by themobile telephony network. Typically, the module 240 is a card embeddingan Integrated Circuit (IC) chip (a smart card), and in the GSM system itis commonly referred to as the “SIM card” (i.e., a card including aSubscriber Identity Module), whereas in the UMTS system it is called“UICC” (UMTS Integrated Circuit Card), and includes a USIM (UMTS SIM);another example of subscriber identification module card is the R-UIM(Removable User Identity Module) or CSIM (CDMA SIM) card, a carddeveloped for CDMA handsets that is functionally equivalent to the SIMand USIM except that it is capable of working in both CDMA and GSMphones and networks.

The SIM card/UICC 240, which can be removably coupled to the ME 115 andis portable and usable in different handsets, interfaces to the ME 115by means of interface modules 245 and 250, one provided in the ME 115and the other in the SIM card/UICC 240.

The subscriber identification module 240 generally includes a CPU 255,which communicates with the ME 115 via the interface 250, and memoryresources 260, including RAM and ROM (possibly EEPROM or Flashmemories), used by the CPU 255 for its operation, as well as to retaindata like phone numbers and other data, either accessible and modifiableby the user or not. Through the interfaces 245 and 250, the CPU can alsodirectly interact with the transmitter and receiver unit 230 of the ME115.

The subscriber identification module 240 stores in particularinformation used to authenticate and identify subscribers in the mobiletelephony network; such information includes the ICCID (IC CardIDentifier, a code univocally identifying the subscriber identificationmodule throughout the world), the IMSI (International Mobile SubscriberIdentity, a unique code allowing the subscriber identification module,and thus the subscriber possessing it, to be identified by the mobiletelephony network operator that issued it to the respective subscriber),the authentication key (a code used in the process of authentication ofthe subscriber identification module, and thus the subscriber possessingit, on the mobile telephony network), the LAI (Local Area Identity),mobile telephony network operator-specific emergency phone numbers, theSMSC (Short Message Service Center) number, just to cite some.

In particular, the subscriber identification module 240 may store, forexample in a file 265, information about the service provider (i.e., themobile telephony network operator) name. In particular, the 3GPP (3rdGeneration Partnership Project) TS (Technical Specification) 31.102Section 4.2.12 (“EF_(SPN) (Service Provider Name”)), which isincorporated herein by reference, defines a standard for the fields ofthe file 265 used to store in the UICC the service provider name: thefile, which is part of the SIM card/UICC file system, is called EF-SPN(Elementary File—Service Provider Name) has a fixed size, in the currentstandard of 17 Bytes, in the current standard the first Byte, is used toset display conditions for the SPN, whereas the remaining 16 Bytescontain a string with the SPN. The string may be coded using the defaultalphabet used for SMS.

The use of the information stored in the EF-SPN is set forth in 3GPP TS22.101, Annex A, Sections A.3 (“Country/PLMN indication”) and A.4(“Service Provider Name indication”, also incorporated herein byreference, which prescribes that the SPN is stored in the USIM in text(and/or optionally in graphic format using references—a link—between theEF_SPN and a file EF_IMG—Elementary File IMaGe—intended to contain adigital form of an image to be displayed), and that when the ME 115 isregistered on the HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network, i.e. themobile telephony network of the operator to which the user of the ME 155has subscribed) or on one of the other PLMNs used for SPN display (forexample, the PLMNs of other operators with which the operator of theHPLMN has established roaming agreements), the SPN stored in the USIM isdisplayed on the ME display device 215.

As schematically depicted in FIG. 2, the ME 115 stores, for example in atable 270 in its ROM, a list of combinations 270-1, 270-2, . . . ofcodes MCC (Mobile Country Code) and MNC (Mobile Network Code). Thegeneric MCC is a code, in current standards consisting of three binarydigits, that corresponds and identifies a respective country of theworld; the generic MNC is a code, in current standards consisting of twobinary digits, that corresponds and identifies a respective mobiletelephony network present in a certain country of the world; thus, ageneric MCC and MNC codes combination univocally identifies a certainmobile telephony operator in a certain country. Associated with each MCCand MNC codes combination, a respective PLMN indicator 275-1, 275-2, . .. is stored in the table 270; the PLMN indicator, which includesinformation about a corresponding PLMN name and country adapted to bedisplayed on the ME display device 215.

In the subscriber identification module 240, a table 280 is stored whichis similar to the table 270 in the ME 115, with MCC and MNC codescombinations 280-1, 280-2, . . . and associated PLMN indicators 285-1,285-2, . . . . At least one of the MCC and MNC codes combinations storedin the table 275 is associated with the file 265 provided for storingthe SPN.

Every GSM or UMTS mobile telephony network broadcasts, on a prescribedbroadcast channel, the respective MCC and MNC codes, to allow MEs toidentify the network.

In operation, the generic ME, like the ME 115, receives the MCC and MNCcodes broadcast by the mobile telephony network or networks present inthe geographic area where the ME is currently located, and uses thereceived MCC and MNC codes to display to the user, on the display device215, information allowing the user to identify the mobile telephonynetwork the ME is currently registered and attached to, and a list ofmobile telephony networks available in that location.

When the ME 115 receives the MCC and MNC codes broadcast by the mobiletelephony network, it looks at the table 270 to find out the proper MCCand MNC codes combination, and, when the matching MCC and MNC codescombination is found, the corresponding PLMN indicator is retrieved anddisplayed on the display device 215; for example, if the MCC and MNCcodes combination 270-1 matches the MCC and MNC received from thenetwork, the PLMN indicator 275-1 is displayed. However, according tothe 3GPP TS 22.101, Annex A, Sections A.3 (“Country/PLMN indication”)and A.4 (“Service Provider Name indication”), if the matching MCC andMNC codes combination is also stored in the (table 280 of the) USIM, thePLMN indicator stored in the table 280 in association with the matchingMCC and MNC codes combination overrides that stored in the ME 115, andit is this PLMN indicator that is displayed on the display device; inaddition, if the matching MCC and MNC codes combination in the table 280is one of those having associated therewith the EF-SPN file 265, likethe MCC and MNC codes combination 280-1 in the drawing, the SPN storedin the file 265 may be displayed on the display device 215, possibly inparallel to, or instead of the PLMN indicator.

The content of the EF-SPN file 265, particularly the display conditionsettings and the SPN string, is usually changed only by the (core)mobile telephony network 290 the ME 115 is attached to. As long as theME 115 remains attached to the same mobile telephony network, thecontent of the EF-SPN file 265 does not change, whereas it changes whenthe ME 115 detaches from the mobile telephony network it was previouslyattached to, and attaches to a different mobile telephony network. Thecontent of the EF-SPN file 265 is normally the same in every ME that isattached to a certain mobile telephony network, and is related to themobile telephony network, not to the user of the ME.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, use is made of theEF-SPN file 265, and its content is modified, to allow displaying on thedisplay device 215 of the ME 115 user-related information, i.e.information related to a certain ME user, instead of information thatrelates to the mobile telephony network and is not differentiated fordifferent users. In particular, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, use is made of the EF-SPN file 265, and its contentis modified, to allow displaying, on the display device 215 of the ME115 of a user being entitled to differentiated call billing tariffs,information suitable to alert the user that she/he is located in a zonein which a certain tariff of a differentiated tariff call billing schemeapplies.

FIG. 3 schematically shows functional blocks, includingsoftware/firmware modules in execution, used in an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the subscriber identification module 240, a zone recognitionapplication 305 is assumed to be running, for recognizing when the ME115 is located in a zone where a differentiated tariff applies(referring to the scenario of FIG. 1, for recognizing when, moving alongthe path 110, the ME 115 enters the cell 105-1). To perform its task,the zone recognition application 305 interacts with a software/firmware310 of the ME 115 and periodically asks thereto to provide theidentifier CELL-ID of the network cell the ME 115 is currently attachedto; every cell of the network broadcasts its own network cell identifierCELL_ID, which is received by and thus is available to the ME 115. Thezone recognition application 305 has a table or database 315 with thenetwork cell identifiers of those network cells for which thedifferentiated tariff applies, and compares the network cell identifierCELL-ID received from the ME 115 with the cell identifiers included inthe table 315. The table 315 is for example downloaded to the subscriberidentification module 240 by the core mobile telephony network 290. Whenthe zone recognition application 305 detects a match between the networkcell identifier CELL-ID received from the ME 115 and the cellidentifiers included in the table 315, the zone recognition application305 alerts the core mobile telephony network 290 of the entrance of theME 115 into a zone with a differentiated call billing tariff, and thenetwork operator consequently applies the proper tariff to any callplaced by the user when in that zone; similarly, when the zonerecognition application 305, based on the change of network cellidentifier communicated thereto by the ME 115, detects that the ME 115is no longer in a zone having a differentiated tariff, it alerts thecore mobile telephony network 290 of the exiting of the ME 115 from thezone with the differentiated call billing tariff, and the networkoperator returns to apply the normal tariff to any call afterwardsplaced by the user.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, instead of exploiting thenetwork cell identifier CELL-ID, radio signal measurements performed bythe ME 115 on the signal irradiated by the network cells are exploitedto localize the ME. In this case, the zone recognition application 305determines whether the ME 115 is currently located in a certain zone forwhich a differentiated tariff applies based on a comparison of the radiosignal measurements communicated thereto by the ME 115 with referenceradio signal measurements, stored in a table which, similarly to thetable 315, is downloaded to the subscriber identification module 240 bythe network operator.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an application 320resides on the subscriber identification module 240 for manipulating thecontent of the EF-SPN 265 according to the location of the ME 115. Inparticular, in an embodiment of the present invention, the application320 is a STK (SIM ToolKit) application, i.e. an application based on SAT(SIM Application Toolkit) technology; however, it is understood thatthis is not to be intended as limitative to the present invention, andthat the application 320 may be a generic application adapted to beexecuted by the CPU of the subscriber identification module 240.

The application 320 interacts with the zone recognition application 305,from which it gets the indication that the ME 115 has entered a zone forwhich a differentiated tariff applies. When this occurs, the application320 manipulates the content of the EF-SPN 265, and changes the SPNstring contained therein into another characters string, adapted toinform the user of the ME 115 that she/he currently is in the zone withdifferentiated tariff. For example, the string “TIM” corresponding tothe Italian mobile telephony operator TELECOM ITALIA which is normallydisplayed to users when they connect to the network, is changed into“TIM HOME ZONE”, which is adapted to inform the user of the ME 115 thatshe/he is in a zone for which a discounted, home zone tariff applies.

The ME software/firmware 310, in its normal operation, reads the contentof the EF-SPN 265 and displays it on the display device 215; thus, thechange of the string contained in the EF-SPN 265 from “TIM” into “TIMHOME ZONE” causes the display device 215 to display to the user the newindication “TIM HOME ZONE”, and the user of the ME 115 is thus informedthat she/he has entered the zone with discounted call billing tariff.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart with the main actions performed by theME 115 when implementing a method according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The transceiver stations 105-1, 105-2, . . . of the mobile telephonynetwork broadcasts through the respective cells the respective cellidentifiers CELL-ID (block 405). The ME 115 receives the cell identifierof the network cell it is currently attached to (block 410); forexample, considering the hypothetical mobility path 110 depicted in FIG.1, when the ME 115 is in cell 105-2, and is attached to the transceiverstation 105-2, it receives the cell identifier of that cell, and thecell identifier it receives changes as the user of the ME 115 movesalong the path 110 visiting cells 105-7, 105-6 and 105-1.

The zone recognition application 305 from time to time, e.g.periodically, asks the software/firmware 310 of the ME 115 to providethe identifier CELL-ID of the network cell the ME 115 is currentlyattached to, and checks (looking at the table 315 of network cellsidentifiers it has) whether, in the cell the ME 115 is currentlyattached to, a different tariff applies compared to that which appliedin the network cell the ME 115 was previously attached to (block 415).In the negative case (exit branch N of decision block 420), the zonerecognition application 305 does nothing and the actions flow jumpsahead to block 440, otherwise (exit branch Y of decision block 420) thezone recognition application 305 alerts the core network 290, forexample by means of USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data) orSMS signalling, that a different tariff has to be applied to any callplaced by the user of the ME 115 (block 425). The mobile telephonynetwork 290 receives the alert and applies the proper tariff to the user(block 430).

The EF-SPN content manipulation application 320, interacting with thezone recognition application 305, for example sniffing the alerts itissues to the mobile telephony network 290, is made aware of the factthat the ME 115 has entered a zone where a differentiated tariffapplies, and consequently changes the SPN contained in the EF-SPN 265stored in the subscriber identification module 240 (block 435). Forexample, when the user of the ME 115 enters the network cell 105-1 whichis assumed to be in a zone where the home of the user is located, and adiscounted tariff TARIFF B applies, the EF-SPN content manipulationapplication 320 changes the SPN in the EF-SPN 265 from the usual “T/M”to “TIM HOME ZONE”. Similarly, when the user of the ME 115 leaves thecell 105-1 and enters a cell in a zone where the normal tariff TARIFF Bapplies, the EF-SPN content manipulation application 320 changes the SPNin the EF-SPN 265 from “TIM HOME ZONE” back to “TIM”. It is worthunderlying that the change in the content of the EF-SPN 165 is not theconsequence of the change of the mobile telephony network the ME 115 isattached to.

The ME 115 software/firmware 310 accesses the table 280 in thesubscriber identification module 240 where the MCC and MNC codescombinations are stored, and looks for the MCC and MNC codes combinationmatching that received from the transceiver station the ME 115 iscurrently attached to; then, if the matching MCC and MNC codescombination is one to which the EF-SPN 265 is associated, the ME 115software/firmware 310 reads the content of the EF-SPN 265 (block 440)and causes the refresh of the display device 215 (block 445).

In this way, as the user of the ME 115 moves entering and exiting zoneswhere differentiated tariffs applies, she/he is promptly informed of thezone where she/he is currently located, and thus the user canimmediately know which tariff will apply to the calls she/he will place.

In the above description, the simple case of only two different tariffshas been considered by way of example. However, the present inventionapplies as well in cases where three or more different tariffs areenvisaged, for three or more different types of zones, like for examplea basic tariff, a first tariff for calls placed when the user in is thehome zone, a second tariff for calls placed when the user is in theoffice zone, a third tariff for calls placed when the user is in acertain urban area, for example in the city where she/he lives or works(while not being in the home zone or in the office zone), and a basictariff for calls placed when the user is in any other zone.

For example, in some invention embodiments the EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320 may store a list of different SPN strings,each one corresponding to a different geographic zone in respect ofwhich a different call billing scheme applies; each SPN string may beassociated with one or more corresponding network cell identifiers,identifying network cells located in that zone. The EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320 may derive from the zone recognitionapplication 305 the information about the network cell identifierCELL-ID of the cell the ME 115 is currently attached to, and comparethis cell identifier with those in the stored list to determine whichSPN string to write in the EF-SPN 265.

Advantageously, the SPN character string or strings that the EF-SPNcontent manipulation application 320 stores and uses to modify thecontent of the EF-SPN 265 can be downloaded from the mobile telephonynetwork Over The Air (OTA); in this way, the mobile telephony networkoperator can customize the information displayed to the user of the ME115 according to personalized call billing schemes that may vary intime.

Although in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention have beenpresented which relates to alerting the ME 115 user when she/he is inzones where differentiated tariffs apply, this is not the only possibleapplication of the present invention; hereinafter, embodiments of thepresent invention will be presented that are not strictly related to thedifferentiation of call billing schemes based on the user localization.

For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the mobiletelephony network operator may take advantage of the possibility ofupdating, by downloading OTA to the ME 115, the SPN string or stringsthat the EF-SPN content manipulation application 320 stores and uses tomodify the content of the EF-SPN 265 to alert the user of special callbilling tariffs that the network operator offers in peculiar days ortime periods of the year. Just by way of example, the network operatormay offer to individual users special, discounted tariffs, or even freecalls, in Christmas time, holiday time, or in user-specific days like ona generic user birthday. In these cases, when the mobile telephonynetwork operator recognizes that the current date corresponds to thepredetermined day or days for which the special tariff applies to thatsubscriber user (possibly as specified in a subscriber user profiledatabase 325 available to the mobile telephony network operator), themobile telephony network 290 sends one or more configuration messages tothe user's ME 115, for configuring the EF-SPN content manipulationapplication 320 so as to change the SPN string or strings it stores orto provide new SPN strings (for example, the configuration message ormessages may include SPN strings like “TIM XMAS” or “TIM BIRTH”); uponreceiving the configuration message or messages, the EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320 changes the SPN in the EF-SPN using the SPNstring received from the network 290, and the new string will bedisplayed to the ME 115 user, who is thus made aware that the specialtariff applies to calls she/he will place. When the predetermined day ordays have passed, the network operator reconfigures the EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320, so that the usual SPN string will bedisplayed to the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the mobile telephonynetwork operator may take advantage of the possibility of updating, bydownloading OTA, the SPN string or strings that the EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320 stores and uses to modify the content ofthe EF-SPN 265 to alert the user that she/he has received a new voicemessage or a new e-mail message in his/her voicebox or mailbox. Forexample, when the network operator ascertains that the user of ME 115has received a new voice message or a new e-mail message in a voiceboxor mailbox 330, the mobile telephony network sends one or moreconfiguration messages to the user's ME 115, for configuring the EF-SPNcontent manipulation application 320 so as to change the SPN string orstrings it stores (for example, the configuration message or messagesmay include SPN strings like “TIM NEWMSG”); upon receiving theconfiguration message or messages, the EF-SPN content manipulationapplication 320 changes the SPN in the EF-SPN using the SPN stringreceived from the network operator, and the new string will be displayedto the ME 115 user, who is thus made aware that she/he has received anew voice or e-mail message. When the user accesses her/his voicebox ormailbox and listens to or reads the new message, or after the lapse of apredetermined time, the network operator reconfigures the EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320, so that the usual SPN string will bedisplayed to the user.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the mobiletelephony network operator may take advantage of the possibility ofupdating, by downloading OTA, the SPN string or strings that the EF-SPNcontent manipulation application 320 store and uses to modify thecontent of the EF-SPN 265 to cause the display of short advertisementmessages on the display device 215 of the user ME 115, particularly inrespect of individual users that accepted this behavior having discountson tariff in return. For example, the network operator may send, toselected users that previously accepted it (for example, as specified inthe users' profiles stored in the database 325), one or moreconfiguration messages to the user's ME 115, for configuring the EF-SPNcontent manipulation application 320 so as to change the SPN string orstrings it stores (for example, the configuration message or messagesmay include SPN strings like “TIM LOVE XYZ”); upon receiving theconfiguration message or messages, the EF-SPN content manipulationapplication 320 changes the SPN in the EF-SPN using the SPN stringreceived from the network operator, and the new string will be displayedto the user of the ME 115. After the lapse of a predetermined time, thenetwork operator reconfigures the EF-SPN content manipulationapplication 320, so as to change the advertisement message or to causethe display of the usual SPN string to the user.

The strings used to modify the content of the EF-SPN 265, and thus to bedisplayed on the display device 215 of the user ME 115, may also beconfigurable by the user herself/himself. For example, the user may sendan SMS to a predetermined number made available by the network operator,and include in the SMS message the string she/he wishes to be displayedon her/his ME 115. Alternatively, the user may access a web portal ofthe network operator, enter a private web site section, and modify thestring she/he wishes to be displayed. The network operator may thus sendto the ME of that user one or more configuration messages to the user'sME 115, for configuring the EF-SPN content manipulation application 320so as to change the SPN string or strings it stores according to theuser preferences (for example, the configuration message or messages mayinclude SPN strings like “I TIM FABIO”, with the name of the user); uponreceiving the configuration message or messages, the EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320 changes the SPN in the EF-SPN using the SPNstring received from the network operator, and the new string will bedisplayed to the ME 115 user. Alternatively, the EF-SPN contentmanipulation application 320 may expose to the user an STK interface,and the user may directly enter the string she/he wishes to be displayedusing the keyboard of her/his handset; the EF-SPN content manipulationapplication 320 then replaces the SPN string present in the EF-SPN 265with the user-inputted string, and thus causes the display of the newstring on the display 215 of the user ME 115.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the user of the ME 115 havinga subscriber identification module 240 capable of connecting to a localwireless sensor network, for example having a ZigBee interface 295, oran NFC (Near Field Communication), interface may be promptly alerted, bydisplaying a predetermined string on the display device 215 of the ME115, of the available connection to a locally available wireless sensornetwork. When the (interfaces of the) subscriber identification module240 recognizes the presence of an end point or of a wireless sensornetwork, it connects thereto; the EF-SPN content manipulationapplication 320 may monitor the status of the wireless sensor networkinterface in the SIM, and when it detects the connection to an availablewireless sensor network, the EF-SPN content manipulation application 320may change the SPN string in the EF-SPN 265 (for example into “TIMZNET”); thus, the software/firmware of the ME 115 causes the promptdisplay to the user, on the display device 215, of the indication that awireless sensor network is present and the ME 115 is connected thereto.Similar considerations may apply to the case in which the ME 115 is adual-mode phone capable of attaching to a Wi-Fi network, for examplewhen the user is at home, for performing VoIP phone calls; the EF-SPNcontent manipulation application 320 (or another application resident inthe subscriber identification module 240) may get from the ME 115 theindication that the latter is attached to the Wi-Fi network, and theEF-SPN content manipulation application 320 may change the content ofthe EF-SPN 265 accordingly to alert the user.

Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to cause user-relatedinformation to be displayed to a user on her/his handset's display in away that is related to that specific user, essentially in real time, andunder the control of the mobile telephony network operator.

Several possible embodiments of the present invention has been describedin the foregoing, however those skilled in the art will recognize thatseveral changes to the described embodiments, as well as alternativeinvention embodiments are possible, without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example, if the handset also supports SPN graphics (as defined bythe 3GPP TS 22.101), the present invention can be used to cause thedisplay of differentiated images, instead of simple character strings.

Although in the described invention embodiments related to thedifferentiation of billing tariffs reference has been made to billing ofphone calls, this is not to be construed limitatively, because allapplies in general for the differentiation of billing of anyconnectivity service, such as for example download of data, mobile TVand other multimedia services.

Also, the detection of the localization of the user for purposes ofapplying differentiated phone call or other service billing tariffs maybe made by the mobile telephony network, instead of by the user'shandset and, in particular, by the subscriber identification module, asdescribed in the foregoing.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: identifying a filestored in a subscriber identification module operatively associated witha user's mobile telephony handset, wherein the identified file stores aname of a mobile telephony service provider displayable on a display ofthe user's mobile telephony handset; in response to detecting an event,determining user-related information to be displayed on the display,wherein the user-related information comprises information other thanthe name of the mobile telephony service provider; and in response todetermining the user-related information, modifying the identified fileto include the user-related information to be displayed on the display.2. The method of claim 1, wherein said user-related information includesinformation which, when displayed on the display of the user's mobiletelephony handset, is adapted to alert the user of a mobile telephonyservice billing tariff currently applied to the user by a mobiletelephony network to which the user's mobile telephony handset isattached.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said mobile telephonyservice billing tariff is one among at least two mobile telephonyservice billing tariffs of a differentiated billing tariff schemeapplied by the mobile telephony service provider to the user.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein said at least two mobile telephony servicebilling tariffs correspond to respective predetermined locations of theuser's mobile telephony handset, and wherein said detecting the eventcomprises detecting that the mobile telephony handset of the user iscurrently located in one of said predetermined locations.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein said detecting that the mobile telephony handset ofthe user is currently located in one of said predetermined locationscomprises comparing an identifier of a mobile telephony network cell towhich the mobile telephony handset is currently attached with at leastone predetermined network cell identifier, or comparing radio signalmeasurements performed by the mobile telephony handset on a radio signalirradiated by the mobile telephony network cell to which the mobiletelephony handset is currently attached with reference radio signalmeasurement values.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said at least twomobile telephony service billing tariffs correspond to different timeperiods.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting the eventcomprises detecting that the mobile telephony handset of the user iscurrently connected to a wireless sensor network, and said user-relatedinformation is adapted to alert the user of the connection to thewireless sensor network.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theidentified file comprises an Elementary File-Service Provider Name(EF-SPN), and wherein the name of the mobile telephony service provideris identified by a Service Provider Name (SPN).
 9. The method of claim1, wherein said user-related information is adapted to alert the user ofthe mobile telephony handset of a receipt of one or more messages in auser message box held by a mobile telephony network and associated withthe user.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said user-relatedinformation to be displayed is received by the mobile telephony handsetfrom a mobile telephony network over the air.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein said subscriber identification module is compliant with 3GPPTechnical Specifications 22.101 and 31.102, and wherein said identifiedfile comprises an EF-SPN file.
 12. A subscriber identification modulefor use in a mobile telephony handset, comprising: a processor; andmemory storing: a resident file used to store a name of a mobiletelephony service provider to be displayed on the mobile telephonyhandset when attached to a network of said mobile telephony serviceprovider, and an application, when executed by the processor, configuredto perform steps comprising: in response to detecting an event,determining user-related information to be displayed on the mobiletelephony handset, wherein the user-related information comprisesinformation other than the name of the mobile telephony serviceprovider; and in response to determining the user-related information,modifying the resident file to include the user-related information tobe displayed on the mobile telephony handset.
 13. The subscriberidentification module of claim 12, wherein said user-related informationincludes information which, when displayed on the mobile telephonyhandset, is adapted to alert a user of the mobile telephony handset of amobile telephony service billing tariff currently applied to the user bya mobile telephony network to which the mobile telephony handset isattached.
 14. The subscriber identification module of claim 13, whereinsaid detecting the event comprises detecting that the mobile telephonyhandset is currently located in one of at least two predeterminedlocations of the mobile telephony handset in respect of which differentmobile telephony service billing tariffs applies to mobile telephonyservices exploitable by the user of the mobile telephony handset. 15.The subscriber identification module of claim 14, operable to performsaid detecting that the mobile telephony handset is currently located inone of at least two predetermined locations by comparing an identifierof a mobile telephony network cell to which the mobile telephony handsetis currently attached with at least one predetermined network cellidentifier, or by comparing radio signal measurements performed by themobile telephony handset on a radio signal irradiated by the mobiletelephony network cell to which the mobile telephony handset iscurrently attached with reference radio signal measurement values. 16.The subscriber identification module of claim 13, wherein said mobiletelephony service billing tariff is one among at least two mobiletelephony service billing tariffs of a differentiated billing tariffscheme applied by the mobile telephony service provider to the user, andwherein said at least two mobile telephony service billing tariffscorrespond to different time periods.
 17. The subscriber identificationmodule of claim 12, wherein said detecting the event comprises detectingthat the mobile telephony handset is currently connected to a wirelesssensor network, and said user-related information is adapted to alert auser of the mobile telephony handset of the connection to the wirelesssensor network.
 18. The subscriber identification module of claim 12,wherein the resident file comprises an Elementary File - ServiceProvider Name (EF-SPN), and wherein the name of the mobile telephonyservice provider is identified by a Service Provider Name (SPN).
 19. Thesubscriber identification module of claim 12, operable to receive saiduser-related information to be displayed from a mobile telephony networkover the air.
 20. The subscriber identification module of claim 12,wherein said subscriber identification module is compliant with 3GPPTechnical Specifications 22.101 and 31.102, and wherein said residentfile comprises an EF-SPN file.
 21. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: if the identified file stores the name of the mobiletelephony service provider, displaying the name of the mobile telephonyservice provider on the display of the user's mobile telephony handset;and if the identified file is modified to include the user-relatedinformation, displaying the user-related information on the display ofthe user's mobile telephony handset.
 22. The subscriber identificationmodule of claim 12, wherein the application, when executed by theprocessor, is configured to perform steps comprising: if the residentfile stores the name of the mobile telephony service provider,instructing the mobile telephony handset to display the name of themobile telephony service provider on the mobile telephony handset; andif the resident file is modified to include the user-relatedinformation, instructing the mobile telephony handset to display theuser-related information on the mobile telephony handset.